In the know

Prioritising safety in public places

Carrying out data-driven patrols where we've seen patterns of crime or where communities have told us they have concerns is one of many ways we protect the public. We also use these patrols as an opportunity to gather intelligence to get a better understanding on local issues.

When it comes to public spaces and the night-time economy, we know that women and girls in particular are more likely to be victim survivors of offences such as up-skirting, spiking and sexual assaults. Disrupting violence against women and girls (VAWG) forms part of our day-to-day policing and our activity spans from carrying out licensing checks and visiting colleges and universities, to carrying out vehicle stops and engaging with taxi drivers, pub and bar staff. 

 Here’s a reminder of the work we have been doing in the last month alone; 

🚓 We launched Jog On, an initiative designed to tackle harassment against female runners – in case you missed it, find out more here https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Mjn1X8LBV/ 

 🚓 We hosted various specific operations across the county such as the one is this video, in which PCs, dog handlers, behaviour detection officers and other colleagues and partners joined together to clamp down on offending associated with the night-time economy   

🚓 We worked with BBC Southeast to demonstrate how we conduct intelligence led patrols to target key areas of concern, read more here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2d020ld8yzo  

🚓 We carried out additional dedicated patrols resulting in over 50 stop searches 

Safer Spaces Lead Chief Inspector Dan Gutierrez, said “By carrying out targeted and intelligence led operations, we are deterring those who set out to commit crime by proactively tackling offending, alongside engaging with the public and encouraging reporting. 

Disrupting VAWG is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure that our community feel supported and safe in all settings. Being out and about also allows us to tackle a range of other crime types such as anti-social behaviour (ASB), drugs and road related offences.  

We know that pursuing criminals goes hand in hand with preventing escalating offending, and we will continue to prioritise and regularly carry out activity of this nature.”

To report somewhere you feel unsafe, visit StreetSafe.